Foreign and Colonial News

The Illustrated London News,
vol. 44,
no. 1246,
p. 199.

February 27, 1864

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL NEWS.

AMERICA.

We have news from New York to the 13th inst. Of war movements we
learn, among other matters, that General Meade made a reconnaissance on
the 5th, on the south side of the Rapidan, where he found Lee in
force, and, after a brief engagement, retired; that 4000 Confederates
made a demonstration against Cumberland Gap on the 29th ult., but,
after heavy skirmishing, were driven back; that General Sherman's
whole force has crossed the Black River, with a view to a junction
with a cavalry and infantry force--it is supposed to flank Johnston
and Hardee in Alabama and Georgia; that Admiral Porter is fitting out
a formidable fleet on the Mississippi; and that, the siege of
Charleston having proved a failure, General Gilmore and Admiral
Dahlgren had dispatched a land and naval expedition to Florida, and,
having made a landing at Jacksonville, the expedition was supposed to
be advancing on Tallahassee.

On the night of the 2nd a large steamer entered Charleston Harbour,
unobserved by the Federal fleet, and was not discovered until the
morning of the 3rd, when she had run aground and was landing her cargo
under the guns of Fort Moultrie. The Federal batteries opened on her,
and shortly afterwards she sank.

The British gun-boat Petrel arrived at Charleston on the 5th,
wishing to communicate with the British Consul at Savannah. Admiral
Dahlgren refused permission, and the Petrel put to sea.

A considerable force, sent by General Butler towards Richmond for
the purpose of surprising the Confederates and releasing the Federal
prisoners, was discovered when within twelve miles of the city, and
obliged to return. The Richmond Examiner
mentions the arrest of a German as the ringleader of a plot for the
release of the prisoners and the assassination of Jefferson Davis.

General Meade made a speech at Philadelphia, stating that since
March, 1861, 100,000 men of the Potomac army have been killed and
wounded.

The Conscription Bill has passed Congress. Slaves between the ages
of fourteen and forty-five are liable to be draughted, loyal owners to
be compensated.

The Judiciary Committee in Congress has reported adversely to
Mr. Sumner's amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery, but
reported favourably on the resolution declaring that Congress shall
have power to legislate that slavery shall not exist within the United
States.

The German Republicans of New Jersey declare in favour of Butler,
Fremont, or any other Radical candidate for the presidency who will
guarantee an emancipation and confiscation policy.

An express-train has been captured eight miles from Harper's
Ferry, and the passengers have been robbed. It is not known whether
the attack was made by the Confederates or by gangs of Federal
deserters.

The Halifax Admiralty Court has restored the Chesapeake and her
cargo to the owners on the payment of legal expenses.